Department for Transport

Transport for London: Finance

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the letter sent by Baroness Vere of Norbitonto Transport for London (TfL) on 31 July, whether the suspension of free travel for 11 to 17 year olds in London, as a condition of Government financial support for TfL during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been implemented; if not, why not; and what plans they have to insist uponthat suspension as acondition of funding.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government agreed a further finance package for TfL of up to £1.7bn to ensure the continuation of essential services.This deal is clear that while the national tax payer will continue to fund free travel to school for children who qualify under national legislation, if the Mayor wishes to maintain free travel for all under 18’s, over and above the English baseline, he must raise the money to pay for this.

Road Traffic

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the level of road traffic across England in the first two weeks of October (1) this year, and (2) in 2019; and what estimate they have made of the percentage of workers in England who returned to work in offices and other regular places of work in those two weeks this year rather than working from home.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department publishes ‘Transport use by mode: Great Britain’ on a weekly basis. This includes an estimate of the change in traffic on Great Britain’s roads. The table below provides (1) the daily estimates for the first two weeks of October 2020. The figures are presented as a percentage of the road traffic on the same day of the week in the first week of February 2020. (2) Equivalent figures are not available for 2019. The Office for National Statistics publishes ‘Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain’ on a weekly basis. The second table below presents the statistics on the percentage of working adults by location of work for the first weeks of October 2020. Table A: Road traffic use as a percentage of the equivalent day in the first week of February 2020: Great Britain1Date1CarsLight Commercial VehiclesHeavy Goods VehiclesAll motor vehicles01/10/202086%98%105%89%02/10/202087%99%102%90%03/10/202085%100%111%87%04/10/202086%102%116%89%05/10/202086%103%106%91%06/10/202084%100%105%88%07/10/202086%101%106%90%08/10/202084%98%104%88%09/10/202088%100%104%91%10/10/202091%107%114%94%11/10/202094%113%122%98%12/10/202085%102%106%89%13/10/202083%100%105%88%14/10/202084%99%106%88%15/10/202084%99%104%88%16/10/202088%101%104%91%Source: DfT Transport use by mode, Great Britain1. Although daily data is being reported, direct comparisons of change should not be made between weekdays and weekends/bank holidays. For road traffic there is a different profile on weekend days compared to weekdays. Table B: Proportion of working adults1 in Great Britain by location of work 30 Sept to 4 Oct7 Oct to 11 Oct14 Oct to 18 OctBoth worked from home and travelled to work14%11%11%Travelled to work only48%54%49%Worked from home only22%23%25%Neither worked from home nor travelled to work – furloughed 22%1%1%Neither worked from home nor travelled to work – other 315%11%14%Source: ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Great Britain1. Base population for percentage: working adults. The working adult population is those that said they had a paid job, either as an employee or self-employed; or they did any casual work for payment; or they did any unpaid or voluntary work in the previous week.2. Caution should be used when interpreting the furlough response categories as this is not a labour force survey. Official estimates on the levels of furloughing are available in 'Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society'.3. The main reasons for respondents neither working from home nor travelling to work (other) in the past 7 days include temporary closure of business or workplace, on annual leave or sick leave, variable hours, being on maternity or paternity leave or being unable to work because of caring responsibilities.4. Percentages may not sum to 100 because of rounding.

Motorways: Safety

Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made by Highways England inimproving the safety of smart motorways.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government is committed to improving safety, which is why the Secretary of State published an evidence stocktake and tasked Highways England with delivering an 18-point action plan. Highways England will implement the action plan in full and has already started work, including the provision of additional emergency areas on the M25 and making all emergency areas more visible by introducing a bright orange surface and better, more frequent signs. Highways England will deliver all the remaining actions, including the provision of stopped vehicle detection on all-lane running (ALR) motorways within 36 months and the conversion of dynamic hard shoulder to ALR by the end of March 2025.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Construction

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the creation of a content target for UK companies for the construction of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, what plans they have tocreate a similar target for High Speed 2.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: There are currently no plans to set a target for UK companies on HS2. HS2 Ltd has an excellent track record of supporting British businesses; over 2,000 businesses have delivered work so far on the project, 98% of these are UK-based, and 70% are SMEs. The project already has 13,000 workers in the UK employed on it and the construction of Phase One will see HS2 create and sustain a further 22,000 jobs over the coming years, with many more in businesses and factories around the country through an estimated 400,000 supply chain contract opportunities. HS2 Ltd estimate that 95% of those contract opportunities will be won by UK based businesses, with around two thirds being SMEs.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Iron and Steel

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the breakdown in (1) money, and (2) tonnes of steel, awarded to (a) British suppliers, and (b) non-British based suppliers,of the contracts awarded for constructional steel products for High Speed 2 to date.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Whilst HS2 Ltd does not currently have any plans to directly buy steel, it does apply a strategic and transparent approach to the sourcing of steel for the HS2 Programme through its Tier 1 contractors and their supply chains. HS2 Ltd ensures a fair procurement process which complies with UK procurement law and the Government policy for the procurement of steel. The contractors involved in the delivery of HS2 have only recently commenced their procurement of steel for the HS2 programme and therefore very little of the 1.3 million tons needed for Phase One has so far been procured. UK produced and fabricated steel already delivering for HS2:Cleveland Bridge in Darlington for the design, production and installation of 1,130 tonnes worth of steel girders, for modular bridges near our Interchange station site in Solihull.Caunton Engineering in Nottinghamshire for 2,400 tonnes of structural steelCelsa Steel in Cardiff for 1,800 tonnes of loose steel and rebar. Other Contracts:Eiffage Metal have a contract for fabrication of viaduct plate sections (9000 tonnes), the source of the actual steel for this contract is yet to be determined.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Institution of Civil Engineers

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they commissioned the Institution of Civil Engineers to independently review the options for the HS2 tunnel approaches to Euston; if so, when they will publish the report of that review; and where that review will be published.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: In response to the Oakervee Review conclusions, the Department for Transport has commissioned a study looking into the design and construction efficiency of the future Euston station as a whole including considering options to simplify the HS2 approaches into the station. As part of the study, an independent panel of experts was convened with the support of the Institution of Civil Engineers to consider the proposed design of the HS2 approach tunnels into the station. The study is ongoing and the selection of an optimised design and delivery strategy will include consideration of the work carried out by the Institution of Civil Engineers and all relevant engineering and operational factors. A further update on the outcomes of this work will be reported in the next HS2 Parliamentary Report.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the decision to pause the development of HS2 Phase 2B East and to reduce the maximum number of trains on Phase 1 from a planned 18 to 10, what plans they have to review (1) the design of the approaches to Euston station, and (2) the option of terminating all 10 HS2 services at the Old Oak Common station.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Phase One trunk section is being constructed with the capability to operate up to 18 trains per hour and the Government remains committed to bringing the benefits of high speed rail to the East Midlands, Yorkshire and beyond. The Integrated Rail Plan will consider how Phase 2b of HS2 can be delivered with other major rail investments in the North and Midlands to ensure these are scoped and designed as part of an integrated network, and to make sure people see the benefits of better services more quickly. In response to the Oakervee Review conclusions, the Department for Transport has commissioned a study looking into the design and construction efficiency of the future Euston station as a whole, including considering options to simplify the HS2 approaches into the station. The study is ongoing and the selection of an optimised design and delivery strategy, will include consideration of all relevant engineering and operational factors. Advice from HS2 Ltd is that no more than 6 trains per hour can reliably be operated from Old Oak Common within the existing station design. There are no current plans to consider terminating all HS2 services at Old Oak Common.

Transport: Coronavirus

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, what plansthey have to re-assess official predictions of (1) medium, and (2) long term passenger growth in (a) international flights, (b) domestic flights, (c) long distance rail travel, and (d) motorway usage.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: A new long-term forecast for travel demand in international and domestic flights is not feasible due to the uncertainty arising from COVID-19 concerning forecasting and appraisal. The Government is monitoring the evolving situation and engaging regularly with industry on their forecasts. We have conducted long distance rail demand scenarios using assumptions on potential drivers subject to ongoing update, refinement and review. We will continue to review and evaluate the evidence for motorway usage. Our priority is to understand potential impacts resulting from COVID-19 following the update of road forecasts. We plan to issue updated guidance in February on how to incorporate the impact of COVID-19 in medium and long-term forecasts for transport. More widely, the Government will continue to closely monitor the impact of the pandemic and to consider how to reflect this uncertainty with other drivers, including technological change and travel behaviour.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Passengers

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the assumptions about passenger growth contained in the HS2 Phase One full business case, published on 15 April, remain accurate following the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic; andwhat plans they have to revise this business case.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The rapid development and the uncertain outcome of the COVID-19 outbreak mean it has not yet been possible to undertake specific analysis to determine its impact on HS2. The Department for Transport is working with colleagues across Government to understand the impact on transport demand and the pandemic’s wider effect on the economy, and how this will affect future business cases for transport infrastructure investment. The Full Business Case for Phase One published in April looked at both high and low demand scenarios, underpinned by population and economic growth forecasts. That analysis showed that even in a scenario where demand is relatively low, there is still a clear case for pressing ahead with HS2. We are confident that the strategic case for HS2, including its subsequent stages to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds remains clear, and that there remains a case for increasing capacity on the UK rail network, bringing cities closer together and levelling up regions across the UK. HS2 also remains key to achieving net-zero by 2050, a commitment which remains unchanged despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Shipping: Carbon Emissions

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of their decision to conduct a one-year spending review on investment in maritime decarbonisation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government has decided to conduct a one-year spending review, prioritising its response to Covid-19 and focusing on supporting jobs.The Clean Maritime Plan, published in July 2019, outlines the UK’s pathway to zero carbon emissions in domestic maritime. Further plans on the decarbonisation of the maritime sector will be included in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

Bus Services

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of calls for reforms to, and new investment in, bus services by the Local Government Association transport spokesperson Councillor David Renard on 28 October.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: In order to ensure that essential bus services can continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is providing an unprecedented amount of support to the bus sector. In addition to the Coronavirus Bus Support Service Grant (CBSSG), worth up to £27.3 million per week and funded by Central Government, we continue to ask Local Authorities to pay out concessionary bus fares at budgeted, pre-COVID, levels. Allowance for this has been made as part of their Local Revenue Grant.

Roads: Police

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many responses there were to the roads policing review: call for evidence which closed on 5 October; and when they expect to publish their response to any such evidence received.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: There have been 149 responses to the Roads Policing Review call for Evidence. We are planning to publish our response in Spring 2021.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment

The Lord Bishop of Oxford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many companies have been subject to sanctions or enforcement action for failing to provide workers and contractors in the gig economy with a written statement of their core terms of employment in (1) 2019, and (2) 2020.

Lord Callanan: Since 6 April 2020, it is now a statutory right for workers to receive a written statement setting out the main particulars of their employment. The employer must provide the principal statement on the first day of employment and the wider written statement within 2 months of the start of employment and failure of an employer to provide one could risk legal action. If an individual has not been provided a written statement, individuals must first informally raise the issue with their employer. If individuals still do not receive one, they can raise a formal grievance. Enforcement of this right is carried out in the Employment Tribunal system whereby employees who do not receive a written statement, or who believe it to be inaccurate or incomplete, may refer the matter to an employment tribunal. Tribunals can then clarify what particulars should have been provided to employees. The particulars clarified in this way can be used as evidence in any claim arising from breaches of the employee’s terms and conditions. The following table shows the number of claims the Employment Tribunals have received in relation to ‘Written Statement of terms and conditions.’ This is not broken down by economic sector nor does it show the outcomes of the claims. Further information on this breakdown can be accessed via the GOV.UK website. Financial YearQuarterType of Jurisdiction ComplaintWritten statement of terms and conditions2019/20Q1352 Q2327 Q3295 Q4r3132020/21Q1203r = figures have been revised as part of an annual reconciliation exercise

Business: Billing

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatwere the results of the survey they published in September onextending the scope and powers of the Prompt Payment Code.

Lord Callanan: We have received over 400 responses to our survey on suggested reforms of the Prompt Payment Code and officials are currently analysing those responses. We plan to publish the new Code principles before the end of the year but only after the views of those who took the time to respond have been given the consideration they deserve.

Patents and Trade Marks: Legal Profession

Lord Smith of Finsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are seeking to add trade mark and patent attorneys to the list of legal professions excluded from automatic recognition of professional qualifications in Clauses 22–27 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill.

Lord Callanan: By adding patent and trade mark attorneys to the list of excluded legal professions, we are putting them outside the scope of the recognition provisions of the Bill completely and seeking to preserve the status quo in relation to these professions and associated regulated legal activities. This brings them in line with the other legal professions excluded under Clause 25(6), in acknowledgment of the different legal systems of the UK. Registered trade mark and patent attorneys are authorised to carry out certain reserved legal activities in England and Wales, more commonly associated with other legal professionals. By excluding the professions of trade mark and patent attorney from the recognition provisions of the Bill, we will prevent these provisions being used in a way that is not intended by the legislation governing trade mark and patent attorneys and regulated legal activities. This will ensure IPReg will continue to be able decide whether and how trade mark and patent attorneys should be allowed to carry out the regulated legal activities it is designated to regulate in different parts of the UK. As trade mark and patent attorneys are currently regulated UK-Wide, we appreciate that accessing the professions or the associated activities may not be an issue currently. However, should the regulation of these professions change in the future, this amendment will ensure that they will not be impacted by the recognition provisions in the Bill.

Sizewell C Power Station

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to take a direct financial stake in the Sizewell C nuclear power project; and if so, whether any decision to do so wouldneed to occur after the conclusion of the planning process.

Lord Callanan: The Government is looking at options for the financing of new nuclear projects. In 2019, we consulted on a Regulated Asset Base as a possible funding model that could attract private finance with the potential to bring significant investment for future nuclear projects at a lower cost to consumers, enabling low carbon power to be delivered at scale. We will respond in due course.

Climate Change Convention

Baroness Boycott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what budget has been set for the UK to host COP26.

Lord Callanan: Discussions on costs for COP26 are currently ongoing, and final budgets are yet to be confirmed.

Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment

The Lord Bishop of Oxford: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are(1) monitoring, and (2) enforcing, the requirement to provide all workers and contractors in the gig economy with a written statement of their core terms of employment.

Lord Callanan: Since 6 April 2020, it is now a statutory right for workers to receive a written statement setting out the main particulars of their employment. The employer must provide the principal statement on the first day of employment and the wider written statement within 2 months of the start of employment and failure of an employer to provide one could risk legal action. If an individual has not been provided a written statement, individuals must first informally raise the issue with their employer. If individuals still do not receive one, they can raise a formal grievance. Enforcement of this right is carried out in the Employment Tribunal system whereby employees who do not receive a written statement, or who believe it to be inaccurate or incomplete, may refer the matter to an employment tribunal. Tribunals can then clarify what particulars should have been provided to employees. The particulars clarified in this way can be used as evidence in any claim arising from breaches of the employee’s terms and conditions. The following table shows the number of claims the Employment Tribunals have received in relation to ‘Written Statement of terms and conditions.’ This is not broken down by economic sector nor does it show the outcomes of the claims. Further information on this breakdown can be accessed via the GOV.UK website. Financial YearQuarterType of Jurisdiction ComplaintWritten statement of terms and conditions2019/20Q1352 Q2327 Q3295 Q4r3132020/21Q1203r = figures have been revised as part of an annual reconciliation exercise

School of Advanced Study

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the School of Advanced Study’s proposals to close the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and the Institute of Latin American Studies (1) for the Commonwealth community, and (2) for the UK’s post-Brexit relations with Latin America; what representations they are making to the School of Advanced Study about the implications of these proposals; and what plans they have, if any, to provide support to help maintain these institutes.

Lord Callanan: Universities are independent, autonomous organisations and are therefore responsible for their decisions relating to research priorities and which activities to support. We would expect universities to regularly review and develop their strategic research priorities, and that this may result in some internal restructuring to better support these priorities.

Temperature: Verkhoyansk

Lord Lilley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 6 October (HL8378), what reasons they have for assuming that the set of residuals is stationary.

Lord Callanan: The assumption of stationarity of the residuals is well established in the peer reviewed literature. Recent examples of this can be found in the following papers: Kew, Sarah F., Sjoukje Y. Philip, Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, Gerard van der Schrier, Friederike EL Otto, and Robert Vautard. "The exceptional summer heat wave in southern Europe 2017." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 100, no. 1 (2019): S49-S53. Yiou, Pascal, Julien Cattiaux, Davide Faranda, Nikolay Kadygrov, Aglae Jézéquel, Philippe Naveau, Aurelien Ribes et al. "Analyses of the Northern European summer heatwave of 2018." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 101, no. 1 (2020): S35-S40. Leach, Nicholas J., Sihan Li, Sarah Sparrow, Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, Fraser C. Lott, Antje Weisheimer, and Myles R. Allen. "Anthropogenic influence on the 2018 summer warm spell in Europe: the impact of different spatio-temporal scales." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 101, no. 1 (2020): S41-S46. Further to the written answer provided on 6 October (HL8377), the plot placed in the Library of the House shows that the GEV distribution is a good fit to the data, which supports the assumption that the distribution of residuals may be adequately modelled as stationary.

Temperature: Verkhoyansk

Lord Lilley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 6 October (HL8377), whether they will place a copy of a quantile-quantile plot of a GEV distribution against the distribution of June maximum temperatures at Verkhoyansk during 1926–2020, that includes data from 2020 in particular, in the Library of the House.

Lord Callanan: Further to the written answer provided on 6 October (HL8377), the plot placed in the Library of the House uses data over 1926 – 2019. The 2020 value is not included in the fit of the GEV itself, as is standard scientific practice to avoid biasing the fit by the extreme value of interest. It is well established that the selection of a series in which a very large extreme has occurred means that the return time of this value is likely to be much larger than the length of the dataset itself. This means the time series would give an artificially low view of the return time compared to reality. However, as requested, we have provided an additional quantile-quantile plot that does include the 2020 value in the fit – which we provide subject to these caveats.HL9546 Plot (pdf, 456.1KB)

Public Houses: Codes of Practice

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to review the operation of the Pubs Code, (2) to publish a report of the findings of that review, and (3) lay a copy of that report before Parliament, as required by section 46 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015.

Lord Callanan: The report on the findings of the first statutory review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator will be published and laid before Parliament as soon as practicable.

Sharing Economy: Conditions of Employment

The Lord Bishop of Oxford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the impact, and (2) the effectiveness, of requiring employers in the gig economy to provide workers and contractors with a written statement of their core terms of employment.

Lord Callanan: In response to the Taylor Review, the Government recognised that there was a significant lack of awareness among individuals and employers about applicable rights and responsibilities in non-standard contracts. We therefore amended legislation so that the Employment Rights Act 1996 entitles both employees and workers to receive a written statement of employment particulars that sets out the position regarding remuneration and hours of work etc. It is now a statutory right to receive a written statement setting out the main particulars of their employment and the employer must provide the principal statement on the first day of employment and the wider written statement within 2 months of the start of employment. Though the Government regularly takes views from businesses, business groups, and unions on the impact and effectiveness of employment rights legislation, we do not currently have plans to review the impact or implementation of this specific requirement.

Sizewell C Power Station

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for delay in the consideration of the planning application for the Sizewell C nuclear power project as a result of changes made to submitted proposals by EDF Energy.

Lord Callanan: The timetable for examining each application for development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects is for an Examining Authority, appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, to decide. In finalising a timetable, the Examining Authority will take account of the need to ensure that all parties to an examination have an opportunity to consider and comment on the application under consideration. Once the examination commences, the timetable will follow the statutory provisions set out in the Planning Act 2008.

Sizewell C Power Station

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to use the Regulated Asset Base model for the financing of the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power station; and what assessment they have made of the impactof those plans on total Government borrowing.

Lord Callanan: In 2019, the Government consulted on a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) as a possible funding model. A RAB has the potential to reduce the cost of raising private finance for new nuclear projects, thereby reducing consumer bills and maximising value for money for consumers and taxpayers. We will publish our response to the consultation in due course.

Department for Education

Higher Education

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofthe report by the Higher Education Policy Institute Demand for Higher Education to 2035,published on 22 October; and what steps they are taking to increase higher education capacity in England.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The government notes the attached report by the Higher Education Policy Institute ‘Demand for Higher Education to 2035’ published on 22 October, and the points it makes about higher education (HE) capacity in England.This government wants our universities and other HE providers to focus relentlessly on outcomes for the individual, skills for the nation, and rigorous academic standards. Excellent outcomes are key to filling our productivity gap, fuelling our economy, and creating opportunities. It is vital that a fair and open post-16 education system offers genuine opportunity and levelling up across the entire nation, with equity between technical, vocational, and academic routes.As part of the Post-18 Education Review, the government is carefully examining the Augar Report and its recommendations, including those that would affect capacity. We plan to respond to the Post-18 Review alongside the Spending Review. HL9587_report (pdf, 207.2KB)

Educational Institutions: Freedom of Expression

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to theletter by the Secretary of State for Education to university vice-chancellors about the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, what steps they are taking to ensure that freedom of speech is safeguarded in educational institutions.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Universities are required by law to uphold freedom of speech, allowing academics, students, and visiting speakers to challenge ideas and to discuss controversial subjects. In state-funded schools, it is a requirement to teach a broad and balanced curriculum in a way that encourages freedom of speech. We have made clear that if universities do not act to uphold free speech, the government will.The right to free speech, however, does not include the right to harass others or incite them to commit acts of violence or terrorism. Universities also have responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 regarding discrimination and harassment, as well as responsibilities under the Prevent duty.The government urges higher education (HE) institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. The Department for Education considers this to be an important tool in tackling antisemitism and a strong signal that HE institutions take these issues seriously.As autonomous institutions, this decision rests with individual HE institutions, but the government will explore all mechanisms to make sure all HE institutions sign up to this.We are exploring a range of legislative and non-legislative options to ensure that free speech and academic freedom are protected at our universities and the Department for Education will set out further steps in due course.

Ministry of Justice

Reoffenders

Lord Farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arethe reoffending rates for prisoners who receive visits from family members, broken down by gender.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Families and friends can be a positive influence on reducing reoffending. Strengthening the ties individuals have with their families and friends is one of the many important factors to successful rehabilitation and reducing intergenerational crime.Information relating to reoffending and individuals who receive visits from their family whilst in prison, are recorded on separate case management systems and therefore the information requested is not readily available without incurring disproportionate cost.The latest published data on reoffending rates for prison leavers was published on 29th October. While information relating to those in receipt of visits is not available, the rates broken down by gender can be found in table A2 at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930448/proven-reoffending-oct18-dec18-3-monthly.ods

Crime

Lord Farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current level of intergenerational transmission of criminal offending, broken down by gender.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Families and friends can be a positive influence on reducing reoffending. Strengthening the ties individuals have with their families and friends is one of the many important factors to successful rehabilitation and reducing intergenerational crime.The Ministry of Justice is working collaboratively with the Department for Education and the Welsh Government to ensure that effective support is available within the community for children of prisoners to reduce the likelihood of intergenerational offending.The specific information you have requested is not held centrally by the Ministry of Justice. We do not collect data on the criminal conviction status of the parents or children of those who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Therefore, it would not be possible to do any analysis on either the proportion of offenders who had parents with a criminal conviction, or offenders with children who have a conviction.In the absence of holding this data ourselves, we rely on estimates from research studies, such as the MoJ SPCR survey in 2005/6 which found that 37% of prisoners reported having family members who had been convicted of a non-motoring criminal offence.

Prisoners: Location

Lord Farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average distance from home that (1) adult prisoners, (2) imprisoned young offenders, and (3) imprisoned juvenile and child prisoners were held each year since 2009, broken down by gender.

Lord Farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people in prison have experienced (1) emotional, (2) physical, and (3) sexual abuse, broken down by gender.

Lord Farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people currently in prison spent time in care as children, broken down by gender.

Lord Farmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people in prison have dependent children with whom they were living prior to sentencing, broken down by gender.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The information requested is not held centrally and could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost, as individual records would need to be analysed. We acknowledge that distance from home can be a real challenge for the maintenance of family ties, and that this is particularly acute in the female estate. HM Prison and Probation Service is committed to ensuring that prisoners are accommodated as close as possible to their resettlement communities and families. We have introduced a range of measures to minimise the impacts of any suspension to visits, due to local restrictions. The Help with Prison Visits Scheme is also available for assistance where close relatives on a low income are able to apply for financial assistance on a means tested basis to facilitate visits to relatives in custody. This included introducing almost 1,500 secure mobile PIN phone handsets to contact family, provided additional pin credit for calls, and introduced video calls which are currently operating in over 100 prisons across England and Wales. Close proximity of is one of the key factors considered when choosing where to place prisoners, particularly for those on short sentences or nearing release, where they need to rebuild family ties, secure housing and health services and look for work. In the female estate, this is inevitably more challenging, as the smaller population means there are significantly fewer establishments more widely spread. We are committed to tackling domestic abuse and to supporting vulnerable individuals, such as female offenders who have experienced domestic abuse, to ensure they can rebuild their lives. We also acknowledge the need for improved collection and transparency of data on primary carers in prison and their dependents in the community. Information on a prisoner’s caring responsibilities and children living in the community is monitored locally by prison Governors and Directors to ensure the appropriate support can be provided to women and their families. We will continue to provide additional support to enable prisoners to maintain contact and support where prison regimes are restricted and will keep this under regular review especially for offenders and families with vulnerability issues.

Marriage: Humanism

Baroness Clark of Kilwinning: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to give humanist marriages legal recognition in England and Wales.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government announced in June 2019 that the Law Commission will conduct a fundamental review of the law on how and where people can legally marry in England and Wales. As part of that review, the Government invited the Law Commission to make recommendations about how marriage by humanist and other non-religious belief organisations could be incorporated into a revised or new scheme for all marriages that is simple, fair and consistent. The Government will decide on provision on the basis of the Law Commission's recommendations.The Law Commission published a consultation paper on 3 September 2020 as part of its review and will welcome responses from all.

Treasury

Financial Institutions: EU Law

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish their response to the European Commission’s review of the Alternative Investment Fund Management Directive, and in particular the question on the delegation of portfolio management by funds in the EU to entities based in third countries.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The UK is a global leader in asset management and UK firms manage portfolios for clients located around world, including in the EU. The government is a strong supporter of portfolio delegation as an international norm in cross-border financial services that ensures investors around the world have access to the best investment expertise. The Treasury engages with EU counterparts on a range of issues and publishes consultation responses where it is appropriate to do so. Through the Asset Management Taskforce and other engagement, the Treasury continues to work closely with industry leaders to identify opportunities to promote the UK asset management sector and the interests of the investors it serves.

H2O Asset Management

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps (1) they, or (2) the Financial Conduct Authority, have taken to ensure that the pricing of funds managed by H20 Asset Management is based on fair valuation of portfolio investments.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government. The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the noble Lord by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Arzoo Raja

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan about the case of Arzoo Raja and her abduction, forced conversion and forced marriage.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are monitoring Arzoo Raja's case. The UK Government strongly condemns child, early and forced marriage and the forced conversion of women and girls in Pakistan, including from religious minorities. We regularly raise at a senior level our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls' with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently, I raised our concerns about child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 19 October.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last discussed reports of abductions, forced conversions and forced marriages of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan with the government of Pakistan; and whatwas the outcome of those discussions.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government strongly condemns child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of all women and girls in Pakistan, including from religious minorities. We regularly raise at a senior level our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls' rights and gender equality with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently, I raised our concerns about child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls in Pakistan, including from religious minorities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 19 October.

British Nationals Abroad: Syria

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the request by the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, for the repatriation of foreign nationals in Al-Hol camp; and whether they raised the number of British nationals in any related discussions.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is clear that those individuals who have fought for, or supported Daesh, whatever their nationality, should face justice and accountability through prosecution in the most appropriate jurisdiction: often in the region where the crimes took place. Officials have reiterated this position in routine discussions with the local authorities in north-east Syria, including in relation to individuals who have travelled from the UK. We are aware that some British nationals are living in displaced persons camps in Syria but due to the circumstances on the ground we are not in a position to make an accurate estimate of the number.

Ibrahim Mounir

Lord Robathan: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any Minister or Government representative has met Ibrahim Mounir since his appointment as Secretary General of the International Organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: There have been no meetings between Ibrahim Mounir and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials or Ministers since the conclusion of the 2015 Muslim Brotherhood Review.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 20 October (HL8837), whether they have identified “any provocative action” by Palestinians which has (1) undermined cooperation between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and (2) led to the (a) demolition of property, (b) destruction of farmland,or (c) eviction of people from homes, in the West Bank.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is deeply complex. Actions by both sides have damaged trust. We consistently call for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, including terrorism, anti-Semitic incitement, settlement expansion, and the demolition of Palestinian property in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Steps to transform the situation in Gaza are also needed. We are encouraging both sides to maintain calm and avoid taking actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.

Israel: Convention On Cluster Munitions

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about that government's decision not to be party to theConvention on Cluster Munitions.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK calls on any states not already party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions to accede without delay and actively supports universalisation. The UK routinely makes statements in support of the Convention and its comprehensive ban on cluster munitions, including at the UN General Assembly. Widespread practical implementation of the Convention will yield lasting humanitarian benefit. Her Majesty's Government is committed to seeing the CCM become a global Convention.

Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion of Belief

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to appoint a UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion of Belief, following the resignation Rehman Chishti MP on 14 September.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: All FCDO Ministers raise concerns about human rights violations and abuses, including on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), where appropriate. This work is longstanding. As the UK Minister of State for Human Rights, I also champion and lead on FoRB as part of my wider responsibilities and through multilateral fora including the United Nations.

International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they planto mark International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day on 27 October.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Promoting the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities and we welcome the focus that this International Day brings on FoRB. Noting the COVID-19 pandemic, we have used our social media channels to mark this year's International FoRB day, underlining our commitment to FoRB for all. As Minister responsible for Human Rights, I also participated in an event on 27 October which focused on the linkage between the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and Freedom of Religion or Belief. We will continue to raise awareness of religious persecution and stand up for the rights of members of minority communities around the world.

Muslim Brotherhood

Lord Robathan: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the report by Sir John JenkinsMuslim Brotherhood review: main findings, published in December 2015, what recent assessment, if any, they have made of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government remains committed to reviewing any groups or individuals whose actions may pose a national security threat to the UK. These reviews are undertaken on the basis of credible evidence and we will continue to consider any new evidence on the Muslim Brotherhood's activities against the UK's legal thresholds.

Israel: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel about reports that that government has refused to provide new visas for the staff of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of the difficulties officials of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have faced in renewal of the visas necessary to remain in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The UK, alongside international partners, raised our concern with the Government of Israel on 26 October. The UK also raised this issue with the Mission of Israel to the UN in Geneva on 8 September. We call upon the Government of Israel to fully respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of human rights defenders and organisations and to allow them to freely operate in Israel and OPTs. We continue to make clear that a strong, vibrant civil society is in Israel's own interest. As a friend of Israel, we would be concerned by any developments that may undermine this commitment.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise (1) forced conversion, (2) forced marriages, (3) abductions, and (4) abuse, of religious minority women and girls at internationalfora dealing with human rights.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government strongly condemns forced marriages, forced conversions, abductions and abuse of women and girls from religious minorities around the world. The UK is a world-leader in the fight to stamp out the practice of forced marriage, with our dedicated Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) leading efforts to combat it both at home and abroad. The FCDO also tackles child marriage through a range of other programmes, including on women and girls' empowerment and girls' education. Making progress on ending child marriage will remain a key focus, including as part of our work to deliver the Prime Minister's commitment to champion 12 years of quality education for girls.We recognise that women and girls from religious minorities can often suffer because of both their gender and their faith. That is why we ensure that our human rights policy work considers the intersectionality of human rights, for example the importance of addressing the specific difficulties experienced by women from religious minority communities. One example of our work in this area is related to the UK's commitment to Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, which I lead on as the Prime Minister's Special Representative. We are working with international faith and belief leaders to issue a 'Declaration of Humanity' which calls for the end of sexual violence in conflict and to tackle the stigma so often faced by survivors. We will continue to raise these issues with our international partners and in multilateral fora such as the UN.

Syria: Military Intervention

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the UNIndependent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic about the progress it has made ininvestigating alleged violations of international law in Syria, and in particular, the alleged use of white phosphorus by Turkey in Northern Syria; and what assessment they have made of the current weapon classificationof white phosphorus.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government has regular discussions with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Syrian Arab Republic about its investigations of alleged violations of international law in Syria, and welcomed the Commission's latest report presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2020. As the COI is the international body responsible for investigating alleged violations of international law in Syria, the UK encourages it to investigate all allegations of violations and abuses of international law in Syria. The COI reported on Turkey's 'Operation Peace Spring' in their March 2020 report to the Human Rights Council, including on particular cases of hostilities, and called on the Turkish authorities to launch their own investigations into these and to make the findings public. It did not specifically report on the use of white phosphorus. We have continued to make clear that white phosphorous is a legitimate obscurant, but any targeting of civilians is against International Humanitarian Law.

Palestinians: Children

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports that school children in Palestinehave been subjected to violence by the Israel Defence Force and Israeli settlers, what steps they plan to take to protect the rights of such children under Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children. We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, in particular the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we have advocated swift, transparent investigations.

West Bank: Demolition

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the visit by Heads of Mission and representatives of countries, including the UK, to Umm al-Kheir and Khirbet al-Majaz on 19 October, what steps they are taking to prevent the future (1) eviction of Palestinians from, and (2) demolitions of civilian structures in, the South Hebron Hills area of the West Bank.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has made clear to the Israeli authorities our serious concern at the increase in demolitions of Palestinian structures in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa raised our particular concern about the potential demolition of ten structures in the South Hebron Hills with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 29 October. The UK is focused on preventing demolitions and evictions from happening in the first place through our legal aid programme, which supports Bedouin communities and Palestinians facing demolition or home eviction in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Gaza Strip: Nurses

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israelabout therestrictionswhich preventnurseswho live in Gaza from being able to reachMakassed Hospital where they work.

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the breast cancer appeal by Medical Aid for Palestinians, whatsteps they are taking to supportwomen in Gaza with breast cancer to get treatment.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement between Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli restrictions severely restrict the movement of medical professionals, patients and families from Gaza, hampering the provision of quality health services. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises the matter of medical permits, and the issue of movement and access, with the Israeli authorities. A lasting resolution to the situation is needed that will ensure that all those who are in need of medical attention and their families have unimpeded access to healthcare provisions.

Christianity

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect Christians from persecution around the world.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Defending the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is a priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. As the Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, I reiterated this message in my tweet to mark International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day on 27 October. The UK Government remains committed to implementing the recommendations from the Bishop of Truro's independent Review on persecuted Christians in full. Work is continuing to implement the recommendations in a way that will bring real improvements in the lives of those persecuted because of their faith, belief, or those of no religious belief. Of the recommendations, 17 have already been, or are in the process of being, implemented. One of those recommendations related to the establishment of the UK's Global Human Rights ('Magnitsky') sanctions regime. This regime came into effect on 6 July and allows us to designate those who commit serious human rights abuses or violations, including those who target individuals on the grounds of their religion or belief. We also launched the John Bunyan Fund for FoRB in August 2019, through which we have funded 15 research projects helping address the challenges faced by different communities, such as Christians, Yazidis, and Humanists, as well as cross-cutting issues such as migration and the double vulnerability experienced by women from minority faith backgrounds. We continue to work with international partners, including through the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, to combat religious persecution worldwide.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to target their Official Development Assistance to Pakistan on methods and programmes that provide effective measures to prevent abductions, forced conversions and forced marriages of girls from minorities in Pakistan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Aawaz II Accountability, Inclusion and Reducing Modern Slavery Programme will spend £39.5 million over 5 years (2018 - 2024) across the Pakistani provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. This will continue to be our main ODA-funded programmatic tool for addressing issues affecting marginalised and vulnerable groups in Pakistan until 2024.The UK Government strongly condemns child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of all women and girls in Pakistan, including from religious minorities. We regularly raise at a senior level our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls' rights and gender equality with the Government of Pakistan. Most recently, I raised our concerns about child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls in Pakistan, including from religious minorities, with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, on 19 October.

Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Russian military is using the Krasukha electronic warfare systemon Azerbaijan’s TB-2 Bayraktar drones in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Baroness Sugg: The UK Government has made no such assessment. We are clear that there can be no military solution to the current conflict and continue to urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to undertake substantive negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Cyprus: Diplomatic Relations

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they formally congratulated Ersin Tatar on his recent election as President of Northern Cyprus; if so, when; and whether the UK High Commissioner treats the governments of the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus equally diplomatically.

Baroness Sugg: The British High Commissioner was in contact with Mr Ersin Tatar on 20 October, following his election as leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, to congratulate him on his new role and express hope for an early return to Cyprus settlement talks. The Turkish Cypriot community is recognised in Cyprus' constitution. As such, whilst the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and does not treat the Turkish Cypriot community equally diplomatically, we do engage with the Turkish Cypriot community.

Sahel: Violence

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the governmentsin the Sahel region about (1) addressing the Central Sahel crisis, and (2) prioritising efforts to address gender-based violence.

Baroness Sugg: The UK is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and humanitarian crisis in the Sahel. We are committed to working with the G5 Sahel countries and international partners to build long-term peace and stability, protect civilians and ensure our humanitarian support is able to reach those most in need. We have raised concerns about the escalating violence and allegations of human rights violations at the UN Security Council and in the region. We have called for all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and have urged G5 governments to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. The Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and the sixth Summit of the G5 Leaders in Mauritania on 25 February 2020. At the meetings, the Minister reaffirmed the UK's efforts to improve security and encourage development in the Sahel.We advocate regularly for a humanitarian response that protects those affected by conflict and violence, including women and girls. On 15 October 2020, the UK co-hosted a side event with the Norwegian Refugee Council and OCHA, calling for strengthened civilian-military coordination to improve humanitarian access in the region. This was followed by a Ministerial Roundtable, including G5 governments, on 20 October 2020 where the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State, Lord Ahmad, announced an additional £8 million for the UK's humanitarian programme in the Sahel. Through our leadership on gender in the Sahel Alliance, we work collectively with other donors to increase the impact of investments on gender equality, and to encourage G5 governments to protect the fundamental rights of women and girls.

Family Planning: Finance

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government with which governments they have discussed the case for having dedicated budget linesfor contraception in national sexual and reproductive rights strategies.

Baroness Sugg: The UK is proud to be a global champion for sexual and reproductive health and rights. We promote funding for quality contraception services in national budget planning, a key way to ensure the sustainability of family planning services in the long term.We do not centrally track every country where we have had these discussions, but can confirm that we strive to support the countries we work in to have a dedicated budget line for contraception in their national strategies, through multilateral dialogue or bilateral dialogue. For example, we support 12 countries (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, DRC, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia) to provide SRHR services and increase national budgets for contraceptives through the UK's Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme. Our support to the Global Financing Facility helps assist in the implementation of plans and budgets for women and children's health, including contraception in 36 countries. Finally, in 69 countries our support to FP2020 helps to promote and support family planning.

Kosovo: Serbia

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have maderepresentations to facilitatedialogue between the governments of Serbia and Kosovo; if so, what progress they have made; and what plans they have to make such representations alongside the EU after January 2021.

Baroness Sugg: The UK Government welcomes the recent resumption of the Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo facilitated by HRVP Josep Borrell and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcák. We support the Dialogue process as the best way of reaching a comprehensive, sustainable and legally binding normalisation agreement that enhances regional stability and benefits the people of both countries. Following our exit from the EU, our active involvement has continued. We are in regular contact with the Dialogue facilitators, international partners, and the governments of Serbia and Kosovo, working to support the negotiations in Brussels.

Balkans: EU Action

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many EU development projects they support in the Western Balkans; and what plans they have to support such projects after January 2021.

Baroness Sugg: The UK contributes towards EU development projects in the Western Balkans, through the Heading IV section of the EU's 2014-2020 Multi-Annual Financial Framework Budget (MFF). Over the 2014-2020 MFF, the EU has allocated funding totalling around €6.5 billion for the Western Balkans, and the UK has contributed on average approximately 12.5% towards the costs of these programmes.The Withdrawal Agreement commits the UK to continue to make payments to the EU from 01 January 2021, as part of the UK's Reste-a-Liquider (RAL) contributions to the EU budget. We anticipate that this will include continued funding to support programmes in the Western Balkans until approximately 2025. The UK will not be contributing to EU programming under the 2021-2027 MFF.

Nigeria: Violence

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the scale of attacks carried out by Nigerian security forces on protestors in Nigeria; and what assistance they are providing to programmes in that country that aim to strengthen the freedom of expression and the rule of law.

Baroness Sugg: The UK Government is deeply concerned by violence during protests in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria, which has tragically claimed lives. Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected. The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 21 October calling for the Nigerian Government to urgently investigate reports of brutality by its security forces and hold those responsible to account. The Minister for Africa repeated this message to the Nigerian Foreign Minister on 23 October. We welcome President Buhari's decision to disband the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the establishment of judicial panels of inquiry to investigate allegations of brutality by the security services. It is vital these panels receive full police and military cooperation. They must investigate all incidents, including in Lagos, properly.The UK Government has supported police reform in Nigeria. We will continue to work with the Nigerian Government and international and civil society partners to improve the accountability and responsiveness of the Nigerian Police Force in line with its human rights obligations. The Nigerian authorities must uphold human rights and the rule of law, investigate any incidents of police brutality and hold those responsible to account. Through our CSSF-funded Nigeria Policing Programme, which ended in March 2020, FSARS officers participated in training on amended Nigerian police guidance designed to improve human rights, training on public finance, and community policing workshops. The Nigeria Policing Programme was part of our Security and Justice Reform Programme, which is working to help deliver a criminal justice system that better protects the human rights of all Nigerians.

Zimbabwe: Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they made tothe government of Zimbabwe about joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; and what has been the outcome of any suchrepresentations.

Baroness Sugg: Zimbabwe has in the past expressed an openness to joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which the UK would support if it were to happen. We engage the Government regularly on progress towards signing EITI, most recently during the WTO Trade Policy Review of Zimbabwe, in which the UK questioned Zimbabwe on progress on their stated commitment to make progress towards signing EITI in 2020. As well as in country engagement from British Embassy officials, EITI Board Chair, Helen Clarke, visited Zimbabwe in February of this year.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Medals

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a working group reporting to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals to consider whether to introduce a special service medal for current and former submariners who have served on patrol in the ongoing Operation Relentless.

Baroness Goldie: The Government appreciates the courage shown and sacrifices made by all our brave Service men and women, including those who have served in the Submarine Service as part of Operation Relentless. However, there are no plans to introduce a special service medal. Since 2010, our submariners receive the Deterrent Patrol Pin recognising the professionalism, dedication and commitment displayed by those who have deployed on ballistic missile submarine patrols. Former members of the Service are entitled, and encouraged, to apply for the pin in recognition of their previous service.

Trident Submarines

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are theexpected datesfor the Dreadnought-class of SSBN submarines to be in service.

Baroness Goldie: As set out in the 2019 Annual Update to Parliament on the UKs future nuclear deterrent, the Dreadnought submarine programme is on track for the First of Class, HMS Dreadnought, to enter service in the early 2030s. The planned in-service dates of submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Astute Class Submarines

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of theProgramme Design and Definition phase of the SSN(R) programme.

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the replacement for the Astute-class SSN Royal Navy submarines will take the form of another submarine.

Baroness Goldie: The programme to deliver the first of Class of an SSN Replacement for the Astute Class submarines is currently in the Programme Definition and Design Phase, which aims to identify potential capability solution choices. Therefore, it is too early to determine what the capability solution will be.

Department for Work and Pensions

Food: Prices

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent of food price rises in the event of the UK and the EU not agreeing a deal on their future relationship; and what plans they have, if any, to increase pensions and other benefits to help people to cover these costs.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required by law to conduct an annual review of benefit and pension rates to determine whether they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or, in some cases, earnings. The measure used for prices is the Consumer Price Index, which measures the aggregate change in prices of a sample of items that represent the spending patterns of a typical household, including food items.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dairy Products: Northern Ireland

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of changes to the sale of Northern Ireland dairy milk products in (1) Great Britain, (2) the EU, (3) nations with which the UK has a trade agreement, and (4) nations with which the EU but not the UK has a trade agreement, that willtake effect after 31 December.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK Government has guaranteed in legislation, via the Internal Market Bill, unfettered access for Northern Ireland's businesses to the rest of the UK internal market from 1 January 2021, ensuring that trade from Northern Ireland to Great Britain continues as it does now. That will mean no declarations, tariffs, new regulatory checks or customs checks, or additional approvals for goods from Northern Ireland businesses to be placed on the UK market. The UK Government has also laid a Statutory Instrument, ensuring a continuity of arrangements for goods from Northern Ireland moving directly into Great Britain from 1 January 2021. This will be available only to Northern Ireland businesses.There will be no change to the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and EU Member States, including Ireland. The EU is obliged under Article 5 of the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) to guarantee tariff free, frictionless access to the Single Market in any scenario from 31 December 2020.The NIP ensures that Northern Ireland remains in the UK's customs territory. We will negotiate and deliver trade deals on behalf of the whole United Kingdom. Northern Ireland exporters will therefore enjoy the preferential access we negotiate with trading partners around the world.As part of the UK's customs territory, after 31 December 2020, Northern Irish producers will no longer be able to access preferential trading arrangements under the EU's free trade agreements. As part of the UK's ability to pursue an independent trade policy, the UK Government has, in under two years, agreed trade agreements with 51 countries that have agreements with the EU. Total UK trade with these countries was worth £144 billion in 2019.

Home Office

Coronavirus: Quarantine

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government howmany fixed penalty notices were issued for failure to self-isolate between 28 September and 14 October.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK Border Force issued 16 fines up to the 14th October, to travellers who had failed to provide contact details at the border.These figures do not include fines issued by the police. The National Police Chiefs’ Council regularly publishes data on the number of fines issued by police forces in England and Wales only under the new emergency health regulations including those issued under the International Travel Regulations.These statistics are available here: https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/.

Algeria: Asylum

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have in place with the government of Algeria to address any issues with asylum seekers from either the UK or Algeria.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK does not have any specific arrangements in place with the government of Algeria ‘to address any issues with asylum seekers from either the UK or Algeria’.Asylum policy applies to all nationalities, including of course Algerians.

Hong Kong: Immigrants

Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 17 September (HL7646), what are their (1) ‘central’, and (2) ‘high’, range estimates for the number of people with British National (Overseas) status who will arrive in the UK (a) in the first year, and (b) over five years, of the new immigration route.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Further details of the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) Visa were put before Parliament on 22 October. This included an Impact Assessment which set out the projected numbers of BN(O)s who might come to the UK under the new BN(O) route.The impact assessment can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdfImpact Assessment - HK BNO - Oct 2020  (pdf, 296.1KB)

Immigrants: Detainees

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Report on an unannounced inspection of the detention of migrants arriving in Dover in small boats, published on 23 October; and what steps they intend to take to address the key concerns expressed in that report.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government have accepted nineteen of the recommendations made in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons report, in full or part, and rejected only one (access to social media sites).The report and recommendations have been considered and the Government’s response has been published https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/10/23/fact-sheet-short-term-holding-facilities-and-processing-centres-for-small-boats-crossings/ . We would refer to the measures and improvements listed there.We take the welfare of people in our care very seriously and are committed to ensuring our triaging and short-term holding facilities are safe, secure and humane and follow the latest guidance from Public Health England.We are adhering to our statutory duties in all aspects, from safeguarding children, to providing the necessary medical requirements to those who have undertaken this dangerous journey.

Law Enforcement Data Service

Lord Wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that Police and Crime Commissioners are fully consulted at all stages in the design, build and roll out of the National Law Enforcement Data Programme.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: A Police and Crime Commissioner represents PCCs on the National Law Enforcement Data Programme (NLEDP) Board, along with an officer from their representative body, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). As members of the Programme Board they are a part of the delivery and assurance of NLEDP and are consulted throughout every stage of the programme. The PCC and APCC representatives are responsible for briefing other PCCs through their normal channels and regular updates are given to the PCCs' technology and digital portfolio group and General Meetings of all PCCs. The PCC and APCC representatives also attend the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Chief Constables Reference Group for NLEDP that consists of Police Chief Constables regularly meeting to discuss and scrutinise programme delivery.

Law Enforcement Data Service

Lord Wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current estimate of the total cost of (1) designing, (2) building, and (3) rolling out, the National Law Enforcement Data Programme.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The total cost for the delivery of the National Law Enforcement Data Programme is £263M. This is as stated in the 2019 Business Case and includes programme cost to date but excludes costs associated with risk and optimism bias. Due to the parallel activity associated with design, build and delivery the costs are grouped. Any further breakdown of costs would be artificial due to the complexity of delivery.NLEDP is currently producing a new Business Case which will include updated costs which is due for approval in April 2021.

Law Enforcement Data Service

Lord Wasserman: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the national roll-out of the National Law Enforcement Data Programme (1) to begin, and (2) to be completed.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The National Law Enforcement Data Programme (NLEDP) is delivering the Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS). NLEDP is due to begin the roll out of LEDS from quarter two 2021. LEDS will complete its roll out of PNC replacement functionality by quarter three 2023, and for PND replacement functionality by quarter three 2024.

Domestic Abuse

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the outcome of the Coercive or Controlling Behaviour Offence—Review of Effectiveness before the Second Reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill; and if not, when they plan to publish it.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Coercive or controlling behaviour is an insidious crime with far reaching impacts for victims. That is why it has been explicitly included in the definition of domestic abuse in the Domestic Abuse Bill.The Government is committed to ensuring that abuse in all its forms is properly identified and effectively tackled. We are, therefore, carefully considering the review of the coercive or controlling behaviour offence. It remains our intention to publish the review in time to inform the Lords’ stages of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Cabinet Office

Borders: Northern Ireland

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any EU officials will be involved in inspecting (1) agricultural produce, (2) foods, or (3) other goods, entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain after 31 December.

Lord True: Further to Article 12(1) of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the authorities of the United Kingdom are responsible for implementing and applying the provisions of Union law made applicable by the Protocol. This includes the administering of checks on agri-food moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, from 1 January 2021.

Cabinet Office: Advertising

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last conducted a review of the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and the related costs; and what were the results.

Lord True: Government constantly monitors and gains insight on public awareness. We use regular evaluations to maximise the impact of our campaigns across the UK.Cabinet Office publishes expenditure on COVID-19 and other national campaigns on a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk as part of routine government transparency arrangements.

Referendums: Scotland and Wales

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis they are able to refuse consent for Scotland and Wales to hold referendums.

Lord True: For the devolved administrations to hold a referendum in relation to any reserved matter, an order under the Scotland Act 1998 or Government of Wales Act 2006, or Westminster primary legislation, would be required.

Climate Change Cabinet Committee

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the membership of the Climate Action Strategy Committee; how many times it has met since October 2019; and whether its minutes are published.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the membership of the Climate Action Implementation Committee; how many times it has met; and whether its minutes are published.

Lord True: It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.Further details of the membership and terms of reference for Cabinet Sub-Committees are published on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-cabinet-committees-system-and-list-of-cabinet-committees.   List of Cabinet Committees and their membership (pdf, 85.9KB)

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of influence that the UK electorate will have over new trade deals.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: HM Government will always negotiate Free Trade Agreements that best serve the interests of Britain’s businesses, consumers and communities. As champions of the British people, Parliamentarians have a key role to play in our new independent trade policy. That is why HM Government is engaging with Parliament – and others from across the country – at all stages of our trade negotiations with Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Our approach provides for strong levels of scrutiny when compared to similar parliamentary democracies and is appropriate to our constitutional arrangements. The Department for International Trade will continue to make sure that future Free Trade Agreements are negotiated and implemented subject to such scrutiny, whilst protecting the national interest.

Soy Sauce: Imports

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of all soy sauce that was imported into the UK in 2019 was from (1)the EU, and (2) Japan.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: In 2019 the percentage of UK imports of soy(a) sauce from (1) the EU was 47.5% and (2) Japan was 14.9%.

Soy Sauce: Japan

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the tariff for soy sauce entering the UK from Japan under existing EU trade arrangements; and what the tariff will be under the UK-Japan trade deal.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The tariff for soy(a) sauce entering the UK under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is 0%. The tariff for soy(a) sauce entering the UK under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will be 0%. Had the UK not signed the agreement, the tariff for soy(a) sauce entering the UK under the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) would have been 6%.

Trade Agreements: Northern Ireland

Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel on 12 October (HL8578), whether they intend to carry out similar Scoping Assessments on the potential impact on Northern Ireland of other new Free Trade Agreements.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The Government is committed to an inclusive and transparent trade policy. We have published scoping assessments for agreements with the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. These scoping assessments set out the potential economic impacts on all nations and regions of the UK, including Northern Ireland. We will publish impact assessments following the conclusion of negotiations which will include an assessment of the impacts on UK regions and nations.

Trade Agreements: Japan

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what geographic protection has been secured for (1) English products, (2) Northern Irish products, (3) Scottish products, and (4) Welsh products, in the Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The new agreement includes all UK geographical indications in the previous agreement: Stilton Blue Cheese, Stilton White Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar, Scotch Whisky, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Cream, and Irish Whiskey. New protected recognition for more iconic UK goods will be possible under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the possibility to increase Geographical Indications (GIs) from seven under the terms of the previous agreement to around 70 as soon as next year. These could include English sparkling wine, Yorkshire Wensleydale and Welsh lamb, Arbroath Smokies, Jersey royal potatoes, Kentish ale, Cornish Clotted Cream, and Irish poteen.

Trade Agreements: Japan

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what tariffs have been agreed for the sale of meat from (1) the UK to Japan, and (2) Japan to the UK, in the Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: Under The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), we have secured reduced tariffs on key British products such as beef and pork, as well as reduced tariffs for flagship Japanese products into the UK, like Japanese beef and bluefin tuna. Further detailed information on tariff lines for individual products is available in the now published agreement text and parliamentary report.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-pacific Partnership

Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their progress to date in relation to their membership of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: We hope to be able to apply for formal accession of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in early 2021. This continues to be a priority for the government and a key part of our trade negotiations programme.We have engaged with all eleven member countries at both ministerial and official level, an approach that aligns with the accession process for new CPTPP members, and all CPTPP members have welcomed our interest in accession. In particular, Japan underlined their commitment to supporting the UK’s accession during the Secretary of State’s visit to Japan to sign the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Youth Investment Fund

Baroness Morgan of Cotes: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to announce theinitial funding allocations to be made from the previously announced Youth Investment Fund.

Baroness Barran: DCMS officials continue to assess how COVID-19 is impacting on young people and youth services. We will keep engaging with the youth sector as plans for the Youth Investment Fund develop, and expect to publish further details in due course.

Gambling

Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many adult gaming centres are currently in operation in the UK.

Baroness Barran: Data held by the Gambling Commission shows that there were 1,431 adult gaming centres in operation as of 31 March 2020.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

House of Lords: Catering

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment has been made of the continued application of the catering subsidy for food and drink purchased by members of the House of Lords; and what plans there are, if any, to discontinue the application of that subsidy for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lord Laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.The net cost of catering has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a reduction in revenue because there have been limited catering outlets open (due to fewer Members and staff on site each day) and no banqueting events have taken place since March. The largest cost which impacts the subsidy is payroll and the Administration has continued to pay staff in full each month. Arrangements have been made for variable hours staff to receive pay averaging that which would have been expected prior to the pandemic. Catering management have reviewed the catering operations in view of the continuing effects of COVID-19 and have put mitigations in place, including:Stopping the recruitment process to fill current vacancies and any leavers;Reducing the items available in the outlets currently open without detriment to quality. This means reducing food costs, production time, and food waste;Curtailing expenditure on trading overheads where possible;Ensuring the staffing rotas are managed effectively to offer resilience in the COVID-secure workplace.The financial impact of the pandemic on catering services will remain under review.